Red Bay girls get defensive
By Staff
Mike Self, FCT Sports Editor
PHIL CAMPBELL – After splitting two previous meetings with rival Belgreen this season, Red Bay coach Donnie Roberts expected Tuesday's rubber match in the finals of the Franklin County Junior High Tournament to be a monumental battle.
He was right.
"That was the most physical game we've played in all year," Roberts said after his Lady Tigers stifled Belgreen with a smothering half-court defense in a 36-24 win. "I'm so proud of our girls. We prepared our game plan at practice yesterday, and they came out tonight and executed it perfectly in every situation. I thought they played great half-court defense, and they did a good job running our four corners offense."
The Lady Bulldogs, who scored 38 points in Saturday's semifinal win over Tharptown, managed just one field goal in the first half and trailed 15-4 at the break.
"To hold them to four points in the first half, that was the best defense we've played this season," Roberts said.
A basket by Kristi O'Dell early in the second half seemed to jumpstart Belgreen's offense. Amber Smith made a short jumper and then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and scored again, trimming Red Bay's lead to 19-12 with 1:30 left in the third quarter.
Red Bay's Hannah Sharp responded with three key plays, setting up teammate Meghann Oliver for a pair of layups and making a basket of her own as the Lady Tigers closed the quarter on a 6-1 run to regain control.
Sharp also was a disruptive force on defense throughout the game, coming up with several key steals.
"She's going to be a dandy," Roberts said. "And she's just a seventh-grader."
Smith nailed two three-pointers early in the fourth quarter, bringing Belgreen back within eight at 27-19 with 3:30 remaining.
Sharp came up with a key steal moments later, and Red Bay (15-4) made enough free throws down the stretch to hold on.
Roberts said that offensive rebounding also played a major role in his team's win.
"Anytime you can get those second and third shots, that's huge," he said. "Our girls gave away some size to them inside, but we really got after it and played hard."
Caitlin Childers led Red Bay with 12 points, including 10 in the first half. Oliver added eight, and Sharp had seven.
Smith led all scorers with 15 points for Belgreen (12-2.)
